Aurora, Illinois does not have an 'accessory dwelling unit' as a defined use category in Chapter 49 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Aurora Code of Ordinances. Single-family districts permit only one dwelling unit per lot; a second self-contained dwelling generally requires the parcel to lie in a two-family or higher-density district, or for the owner to obtain a variance or special use approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Illinois has no statewide ADU enabling statute as of 2026, so all authority sits with the home-rule city under 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1 and Article VII Section 6 of the Illinois Constitution.
An Aurora homeowner considering a second independent dwelling on a single-family lot must work through several overlapping frameworks. First, Chapter 49 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances (the Zoning Ordinance) classifies residential property into districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5A, R-5B). Single-family districts permit one principal dwelling per lot; two-family and multi-family districts permit additional units only as primary uses, not as 'accessory' dwellings. Aurora's accessory-structure provisions in Chapter 49 allow detached garages and sheds (with two-structure maximum, typically 768 sq ft garage and 160 sq ft shed limits) but do not authorize an accessory unit with its own kitchen, sleeping area, and bath. Second, where a property owner seeks a second unit on a single-family parcel, the route is a use variation or special use permit through the Zoning Board of Appeals (Chapter 49 administrative provisions) — a public hearing process requiring proof of practical difficulty or particular hardship. Third, the Illinois Building Code (adopted by reference through Aurora's building ordinance under Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances) governs construction; building permits are issued by the City of Aurora Division of Building and Permits (630-256-3130). Fourth, the Illinois Residential Code and Illinois Plumbing Code apply to mechanical, plumbing, and life-safety standards. Because Aurora spans Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall counties, county building authority does not apply within the city limits — the City of Aurora is the exclusive permit-issuing authority for all parcels inside the corporate boundary.
Constructing a second dwelling without zoning approval and building permits: stop-work order from the Division of Building and Permits, after-the-fact permit fees (often doubled), mandatory exposure of concealed framing for inspection, and orders to remove non-compliant work. Zoning violations are enforceable under Chapter 49 with administrative adjudication and civil penalties; persistent violations can be enjoined in the Kane, DuPage, Will, or Kendall County Circuit Court depending on parcel location. Unlawful occupancy of an unpermitted unit may trigger nuisance abatement and disconnection of utilities.
Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL
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Aurora, IL
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See how Aurora's adu permits rules stack up against other locations.
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